Tuskegee election lawsuit dismissed

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday contesting city council election results in Tuskegee, finding the plaintiffs did not prove their case.

The plaintiffs had allege fraud and irregularities in the August 2012 municipal election

"When you see things that aren't right, you have to say something or they will continue to happen," said Brooke Moore-White, a former candidate for City Council.

Moore-White and Voter Leon E. Frazier are plaintiffs in the suit, and argued they could prove people who live outside the city voted in the August election.

The allegations are significant because Ala Whitehead won the District Two race by only three votes. The plaintiffs alleged the combination of votes that were illegal and legal votes that were not counted would change the outcome of the race.

The judge disagreed, and Whitehead sounded relieved after the trial was over.

"I felt like it was a frivolous case, I didn't think they were going to be declared winners, because I could see through it," Whitehead said. "And I'm happy that the judge saw through it. We made it through."

The plaintiffs also allege the winning candidate in District One, Chris Lee, failed to file campaign finance reports, and should be removed from office.

"We've gone through a lot, and the citizens of Tuskegee, their will has been done today," Lee said.

Meanwhile, the plaintiffs said they were considering their options. At least one of the plaintiffs seemed willing to continue the fight.

"We have lost this round, but this is just the first," Frazier said.

"Politics in Macon County will never be the same as result of this case,' said attorney Lateefah Muhammad, citing the issues the case raised.

The plaintiffs have 14 days to decide whether to file an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.